ECONOMY NEXT — Sri Lanka’s main opposition party Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has welcomed some of the most prominent members of the former Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) government led by ousted former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and SJB General Secretary particularly praised MP GL. Pirisu.
SJB MP Ranjith Maduma Bandara, speaking at a ceremony marking the party’s alliance with Mr Peiris’s People’s Congress for Freedom, said the latter’s alliance was a “huge boost” for the SJB.
“GL Peiris and the team have been a great addition to our team today. He brings economic vision, knowledge and political experience to our team,” Bandara said.
“I think this strengthens us a lot,” he added.
The lawmaker asserted that the majority of Sri Lankans have already decided that only the SJB can save the country.
“Other political parties that love this country, want this country to develop and think about the future generations of this country have decided to partner with the SJB,” he said.
He said the new alliance will be called ‘Samagi Jana Alliance’.
Other MPs who joined the alliance on Friday, April 5 are SLPP MPs Dylan Perera, Nalaka Godahewa MP, Upul Garapati MP, Wasanta Yapa Bandara MP and KPS Kumarasiri MP.
Six councilors signed a memorandum of understanding with SJB.
The SJB and President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s National Party (UNP) have both hinted at crossing paths with each other.
“Let’s see what kind of alliance we have after May,” said UNP MP Bajra Abeywardena.
Referring to speculation that there might not be a presidential election this year, he said, “The opposition is using this as a slogan because they have nothing else to say. (Colombo/April 5, 2024)
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